I yanked my hand free with a sharp motion. “Calm down? Luka, I’ve lived through hell for six years! I come back only to see you about to marry Quincy, how do you expect me to calm down?”
At last, Luka snapped. “Then what do you want? These days, Quincy and I have already tolerated you enough. Just look at yourself, don’t you think you’re pathetic?”
I let out a cold laugh, tears spilling down my face.
“Pathetic? Luka, you truly are something.”
I turned to leave again, but once more, Luka stepped in front of me to block the way.
“Talia, stop making a scene. You have nothing now, and throwing a fuss won’t help you. I won’t cast you aside, but the condition is that you can’t go against Quincy, because she’s done nothing wrong. Be obedient, alright? Otherwise, besides me, who else will take care of you?”
Even now, every word from Luka was still for Quincy’s sake.
If it hadn’t been for me back then, Quincy wouldn’t even have had the chance to attend school. I was the one who took her home to recover from her injuries, who persuaded my parents to sponsor her education, and who led her into my circle of friends.
And now, everything that had once been mine belonged to her instead.
“Luka, you really do fall in love quickly.”
My voice shook with sobs.
In Luka’s eyes, a flicker of heartache appeared. After a long, tense silence, he reached out to wipe the tears at the corner of my eyes.
He gently pulled me into his arms. “Talia, don’t cause trouble. Quincy is pregnant, and I don’t want things to turn ugly. As long as you stay sensible, the love I give you will never be less than what I give her.”
My arms hung limp at my sides, refusing to return his embrace. At that moment, my heart had completely died.
Not far away, Quincy stood watching, a chilling smile curling at her lips.
Within days, the headlines exploded. The bachelor who had once bought me appeared in front of the cameras, holding two children in his arms and playing the victim.
He accused me of being irresponsible, of being unfaithful.
Reporters swarmed me as I searched desperately for any news about my parents.
“Miss Pearson, don’t you feel guilty for abandoning your husband and children? You robbed them of a mother’s love from such a young age.”
A wall of cameras pressed closer, and those dark, endless six years replayed in my mind all over again.